Roles for teachers...

[Zummi Gummi]

Possibly a silly question, but if anyone could answer it, it would certainly be someone from here.

I'm a science teacher, who is now seriously considering a re-location to Orlando. I've always had a dream to work for Disney, and was wondering what sorts of opportunities there were available for teachers (and the unique skills sets we have!!) at WDW. I know WDW has a huge education department (Y.E.S.)- how does one get their foot in the door at that department?

Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Victoria]

Possibly a silly question, but if anyone could answer it, it would certainly be someone from here.

I'm a science teacher, who is now seriously considering a re-location to Orlando. I've always had a dream to work for Disney, and was wondering what sorts of opportunities there were available for teachers (and the unique skills sets we have!!) at WDW. I know WDW has a huge education department (Y.E.S.)- how does one get their foot in the door at that department?

Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

I have no information to give you. However, I am also very curious about the answer to this question because I am in the exact same situation....:lookaroun

 

[rainfully]

Many of the Y.E.S. Program facilitators are people with other jobs who do that on the side. (I know a girl for instance who is Guest Relations but also does Y.E.S. sometimes).

Also, you could be a facilitator at DU (Disney University)... but most of those are people who are experts in their particular line of business.

I can't think off the top of my head of any teacher-only jobs at WDW... :shrug:

 

[Victoria]

That is always what I have been worried about with wanting to be an educator with Disney. My particular skills (teaching reading and mathematics) aren't exactly in demand at Disney. One would hope that by the time CMs get hired with Disney they are able to read, write, and do basic math. :lol: (Although on more than one occasion I have discovered that isn't always the case! :lookaroun)

I guess I have to become an expert in something first! :lol:

 

[Zummi Gummi]

This is what I was afraid of. Thanks for answering, though! I'll just keep looking around. Any more ideas/suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 

[Victoria]

This is what I was afraid of. Thanks for answering, though! I'll just keep looking around. Any more ideas/suggestions are greatly appreciated!

This has always been my fear too. That is why I keep my eye out for teacher recruitment programs and plan to probably make my transition to FL with one of those. From what I have heard from various colleagues, teachers from NJ are a hot commodity apparently.

 

[CaptainAshley]

Possibly a silly question, but if anyone could answer it, it would certainly be someone from here.

I'm a science teacher, who is now seriously considering a re-location to Orlando. I've always had a dream to work for Disney, and was wondering what sorts of opportunities there were available for teachers (and the unique skills sets we have!!) at WDW. I know WDW has a huge education department (Y.E.S.)- how does one get their foot in the door at that department?

Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Since you're a science teacher, have you ever considered finding a great role somewhere on-stage like at the Conservation Station at AK or inside Innoventions hosting those seminars? Depending on what your focus in science happens to be, maybe they could really use your expertise! Just a suggestion until you find something deeper inside the company!

 

[Zummi Gummi]

Not a bad idea at all. How would you go about applying for such a position? Is there somewhere specific to send a resume and cover letter, too? The Disney Careers site only lets you apply for specific positions, and I've neer seen something like that offered.

 

[CaptainAshley]

That's my problem with the Disney Careers site right now too. I'm ready to send my resume and cover letter / letter of intent to the Company right now because I get my Hospitality B.S. in Spring, but really have no idea where to send it other than Casting. I was a CP back in '06/'07, and plan on talking to my old managers about it when I visit next month. I see you are going very shortly (so exciting!!!)... Casting is just a short walk across the street from DTD, ya know. I say take some time out of a morning, put on your best business attire, and bravely hand over your resume in person.

 

[pintraderpayee]

I am a teacher also. I've taken students to WDW to participate in the Y.E.S. program for the past eight years. One of our facilitators, when we did the program that includes the Hall of Presidents, was actually a high school history teacher in Orlando. She worked for Disney on the weekends and on her breaks so there must be a way for teachers to get on with WDW. I'll ask when we go in April and try to let you know afterwards.

 

[scepandas]

I am a teacher also. I've taken students to WDW to participate in the Y.E.S. program for the past eight years. One of our facilitators, when we did the program that includes the Hall of Presidents, was actually a high school history teacher in Orlando. She worked for Disney on the weekends and on her breaks so there must be a way for teachers to get on with WDW. I'll ask when we go in April and try to let you know afterwards.

There are A LOT of teachers that teach in a local school full time and work at Disney part time on weekends, school breaks, summers, etc. Teachers in Central FL really don't get paid a lot, so many teachers have a 2nd part time job in the theme parks. I've met teachers that work in attractions, merchandise, food and beverage, and transportation. You apply for an hourly position the same way any other cast member would, no resume needed, just fill out an application at casting and let them know what roles you're willing to do. If you would like to teach classes with the YES program, that is something you audition to do after you have a regular hourly role. You teach YES classes as needed and work in your regular role the rest of the time. Teaching YES classes is not a full time job and I don't know of any jobs at Disney specifically for teachers.
One major problem you'll have with the plan of teaching full time and working at Disney on the side though is that the local school districts really are not hiring teachers in any certification area right now. Orlando and the surrounding school districts are in the midst of a HUGE budget crisis and the outlook for the coming years is not good. They are having to let a lot of teachers go rather than hiring new ones. It is really,really hard to get a teaching job in Central Florida right now. Try googling somethig like "Central Florida (or Orlando) school/education budget crisis" or read some of the posts on Florida teacher chatboards like the one on teachers.net and you'll see what I mean. Good luck!

 

[RWilliams]

Not a bad idea at all. How would you go about applying for such a position? Is there somewhere specific to send a resume and cover letter, too? The Disney Careers site only lets you apply for specific positions, and I've neer seen something like that offered.

The only way to apply for a professional postion is through the Disney careers site. The only position I've seen listed for teachers through Disney is the conservation education postion at either AK or at the Living seas. Its an on call postion so, for example, you may be needed 4 days in one week and then not again for a month. They only need the educators when groups have booked sessions. If I recall they require 3 or 4 days of full availability and don't allow you to work in any other department at Disney. A friend of mine applied for the position last year and didn't hear back from Disney, then he went to casting and got an hourly job in the park and magically they called him about the education position the next day. So, they look at current CMs at Disney careers before they look at everyone else. My advice would be to get an hourly position somewhere and then try to move into a professional position after the fact.

Casting is just a short walk across the street from DTD, ya know. I say take some time out of a morning, put on your best business attire, and bravely hand over your resume in person.

Casting no longer accept cover letters and resumes for professional postions- everything has to be done through the Disney careers site, but I guess there's no harm in trying. They will only see you about jobs that they currently have available, which I'm hearing are just about non existant.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

That's my problem with the Disney Careers site right now too. I'm ready to send my resume and cover letter / letter of intent to the Company right now because I get my Hospitality B.S. in Spring, but really have no idea where to send it other than Casting. I was a CP back in '06/'07, and plan on talking to my old managers about it when I visit next month. I see you are going very shortly (so exciting!!!)... Casting is just a short walk across the street from DTD, ya know. I say take some time out of a morning, put on your best business attire, and bravely hand over your resume in person.

As someone who has been going through a nearly year long recruiting process with Disney already (I too finish school soon with a BS in Management and Finannce)...there is really nothing available right now. If you check out the careers site, there are 6 jobs available in the entire state of FL. Unless you are just looking for PT front line cast job, you won't be able to get anything except a smile when you go to casting. I know how discouraging it is, but that is the state of the world right now.